An audiogram shows air conduction thresholds at 55 dB HL and bone conduction thresholds at 15 dB HL in the right ear across all frequencies. How should this hearing loss be classified?

• A. Moderate sensorineural hearing loss
• B. Mild mixed hearing loss
• C. Moderate conductive hearing loss
• D. Normal hearing with an artifact

Answer: (C)

Interpreting an audiogram hinges on comparing air conduction to bone conduction and noting any air–bone gap. Here, the bone conduction threshold in the right ear is normal (15 dB HL), while the air conduction threshold is elevated at 55 dB HL, with a large difference between them (about 40 dB). A normal bone conduction with a significantly worse air conduction indicates a conductive loss, because the problem lies in the outer or middle ear pathways rather than the inner ear or auditory nerve. The severity is read from the air conduction result, which places this at a moderate level of conductive hearing loss. That’s why this option fits best: the loss is conductive and of moderate severity.